Assistant Childcare Director

YMCA; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Family Membership

50% Childcare Discount

Comprehensive Medical Coverage

Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Paid Time Off (3 weeks) and 9 holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Retirement Savings (403(b))

Life Insurance

EAP

Job summary

The YMCA Grand Rapids operates the Grand Rapids Central Station Early Childhood Center, delivering high-quality early care and education to families at The Rapid Central Station. The Assistant Child Care Director supports daily operations, guides teachers, ensures regulatory compliance, and engages families in a safe, nurturing learning environment.

This role requires face-to-face leadership in the programs with potential early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities, and offers

Qualifications

• Education: CDA or associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required.
• Experience: Three to five years’ experience with licensed child care in a lead teacher or coordinator capacity; or equivalent education/training/experience.
• Proven Expertise: Knowledge of state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare centers; sound fiscal principles.

Responsibilities

• Supports day-to-day operations to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment; covers Director in their absence.
• Contributes to quality standards for educational and care practices.
• Assists with recruiting, orienting, and enrolling children/families in collaboration with outreach/enrollment specialist.
• Advises and supports parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals.
• Communicates with parents regarding child progress, activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.
• Advises staff on child behavioral/learning concerns and applies developmental support processes.
• Reviews facility activities for compliance with health, safety, and licensing requirements; maintains relationships with licensing consultants.
• Assists with inspections/assessments to ensure regulations are met.
• Builds community partner relationships within the facility and the community.
• Supports hiring/onboarding of teaching staff; plans staff schedules and manages staffing needs.

Education

CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Job description

Description

Join our team at the new Grand Rapids Central Station Early Childhood Center, located within The Rapid Central Station, creating an environment to meet families where they live. The center prioritizes delivering accessible, affordable early care and education to children and wraparound services to whole families and the broader community at an intersection of transportation and childcare needs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Child Care Director is responsible for supporting the daily operations and administration of a child development center. This role includes supporting teachers with lesson planning and implementation, ensuring compliance with state and local regulations, and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all children. The Assistant Child Care Director will also assist with budget monitoring, program enrollment, and communication with parents and guardians.

The ideal candidate is a dedicated leader with a passion for early childhood education, looking for professional growth opportunities, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for both staff and children.

This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and may involve early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Supports the management of the day-to-day operations of the child development center to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children; manages daily operations of the center in the Director’s absence.
• Contributes to the maintenance and continuous improvement of improves quality standards for educational and care practices.
• Assists with managing recruiting, orientating, and enrolling of children/families, in collaboration with outreach and enrollment specialist
• Advises and supports parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals
• Confers with parents/guardians regarding child/ren progress, facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures
• Advises teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning concerns, and uses the developmental and behavioral support process.
• Assists with reviewing and evaluating facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations and licensing requirements. Maintains a positive relationship with assigned licensing consultants
• Assists with conducting regular inspections and assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Builds and maintains community partner relationships in the facility and in the community
• Assists and supports hiring and onboarding of teaching staff, in collaboration with Program Administrator and Regional Program Director
• Plans, assigns, and directs work; assists with creating staff schedules and manage staffing needs; addresses complaints and resolves problems
• Sets goals and objectives for staff members; conducts performance evaluations and provides feedback to improve teaching practices.
• Assists with Annual Campaign
• Liaises with contracted custodial team and maintain all areas in a clean, presentable fashion
• Serves in ratio as needed to cover PTO, vacancies, or leaves of absence.
• Participates in management meetings, strategic planning, and effectively cascade communication to team members
• Participates in YMCA Child Care Career Pathway initiatives, such as the aspiring directors program[DB1.1][RP1.2]
• Assists with ensuring grant compliance, as required
• Assists in an interim director role as needed.

Perform additional duties as assigned to ensure the success of the YMCA and its mission-driven work.

COMPENSATION

$20.52 - $25.00 ; Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities & program discounts for you and your family!
• 50% Childcare Discount – Discount is off the regular rate for each child enrolled in a YMCA childcare program, excluding the infant room.
• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Up to 93% employer paid plan options through Blue Care Network.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – low-cost coverage options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Receive up to $1,040 in employer contributions each year to help cover qualified medical expenses.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Beginning with 3 weeks of PTO per year, plus 9 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave - Dedicated time off to support you during the arrival or adoption of a child.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Disability Leave – short & long term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance – employer paid life insurance, plus voluntary coverage for the entire family.
• Optional Insurance – Customize your coverage with options like accident, hospital, pet, and legal insurance, plus more to fit your lifestyle and needs.
• Pay on Demand – Access your earned wages before payday.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities
• Loan Forgiveness - Eligible employees can also take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: CDA or associate's degree (AA) from two-year college in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required
• Experience: Three to five years’ experience with licensed child care in a lead teacher or coordinator capacity; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Proven Expertise: Strong knowledge of state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare centers. Must have working knowledge of sound fiscal principals.
• Mission-Driven Leadership: Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with children infant to 6 years of age.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Complete required trainings as specified in Michigan State Licensing for Childcare Centers
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• CPR Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)
• Fingerprinting

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL:

5 - 10% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.